Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

NoteAway VS FocusWriter

Compare NoteAway VS FocusWriter and see what are their differences

NoteAway logo NoteAway

NoteAway is the simplest, most convenient way to take quick notes on OS X.

FocusWriter logo FocusWriter

FocusWriter is a fullscreen, distraction-free word processor designed to immerse you as much as...
  • NoteAway Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-03-25
  • FocusWriter Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

NoteAway features and specs

  • Simple User Interface
    NoteAway offers an uncomplicated and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to take notes efficiently without a steep learning curve.
  • Quick Access
    The app provides features like hot keys and menu bar access, allowing users to quickly create and access notes without disrupting their workflow.
  • Organizational Features
    Users can categorize and tag notes, helping them keep their information well-organized and easy to retrieve.
  • Search Functionality
    NoteAway includes robust search capabilities, enabling users to find specific notes swiftly based on keywords or tags.

Possible disadvantages of NoteAway

  • Mac-Only
    NoteAway is exclusively available for macOS users, which limits its accessibility for users on other platforms, such as Windows or Linux.
  • Limited Collaboration
    Unlike some note-taking applications, NoteAway lacks features for real-time collaboration, making it less ideal for teamwork scenarios.
  • No Mobile Version
    There is no mobile app version available, which can be a disadvantage for users who need to access their notes on the go.
  • Basic Formatting Options
    The app offers limited text formatting options compared to more advanced note-taking applications, which may not meet the needs of users looking for rich text editing capabilities.

FocusWriter features and specs

  • Distraction-Free Interface
    FocusWriter offers a clean, full-screen interface that helps minimize distractions, allowing writers to concentrate solely on their writing.
  • Customizable Themes
    The software provides multiple themes and customization options, enabling users to tailor their writing environment to their preferences.
  • Goal Setting
    FocusWriter includes goal tracking features such as daily word counts and session targets, which can help writers stay motivated and measure their productivity.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    FocusWriter is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Minimal Resource Usage
    The application is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, ensuring smooth performance even on older machines.
  • Auto-Save and Recovery
    FocusWriter offers auto-save and session recovery features, which protect users from losing work due to accidental closures or system crashes.
  • Free and Open-Source
    The software is free to use and open-source, fostering community contributions and allowing users to modify the software if they have the technical skills.

Possible disadvantages of FocusWriter

  • Limited Advanced Features
    FocusWriter lacks some advanced features found in other writing software, such as advanced grammar checking and extensive formatting options.
  • Basic Export Options
    The application offers limited export options primarily to plain text and Rich Text Format (RTF), which may not be suitable for all users.
  • Limited Integration
    FocusWriter does not offer extensive integration with other productivity tools and services, which could be a drawback for users who require seamless workflow management.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve due to the minimalistic interface and lack of in-app tutorials or guides.

Analysis of FocusWriter

Overall verdict

  • FocusWriter is generally considered a good choice for writers who prioritize a clean and focused writing workspace. Its simplicity and customization options make it suitable for those who want a straightforward tool without the distractions of more complex writing software.

Why this product is good

  • FocusWriter is a popular choice for writers who seek a distraction-free writing environment. It offers a minimalist interface that helps users concentrate on writing by hiding toolbars and menus until they are needed. It is also highly customizable, allowing users to change themes, fonts, and background images to suit their preferences. Moreover, FocusWriter includes features such as daily goals, timers, and basic statistics, which can help motivate and track writing progress.

Recommended for

    FocusWriter is particularly recommended for writers, authors, bloggers, and anyone who needs a distraction-free environment to focus on their writing tasks. It is ideal for users who prefer a lightweight, simple application and do not require advanced formatting or publishing features.

NoteAway videos

NoteAway pour Mac OS

FocusWriter videos

Focuswriter Review

More videos:

  • Review - FocusWriter - App Reviews
  • Review - Writing Software - FocusWriter

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NoteAway and FocusWriter)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Text Editors
6 6%
94% 94
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Markdown Editor
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare NoteAway and FocusWriter

NoteAway Reviews

We have no reviews of NoteAway yet.
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FocusWriter Reviews

11 Best Scrivener Alternatives
Scrivener may be more complicated than FocusWriter, but if you want simplicity or minimalism, FocusWriter is worth considering. There are no elaborate formatting options or research notes to tinker around with so all you do is write.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FocusWriter seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 27 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

NoteAway mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of NoteAway yet. Tracking of NoteAway recommendations started around Mar 2021.

FocusWriter mentions (27)

  • WriterdeckOS
    Https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/#download is Qt based so that'd get you most of it, last time I compiled it the deps where Qt/SDL. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • WriterdeckOS
    I like https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/ and have used it for years and years, you can configure the look and feel pretty extensively. Lots of ways to skin that cat (especially if like me you are a linux user) but focuswriter does everything I need, very little I don't and there is a frame/mindset shift to using the same tool for a specific task. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ensล: write now, edit later
    Reminds me of the (dead) RoughDraft mac app by 43 Folders(?). There is also FocusWriter - opensource and multi-platform. https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    FocusWriter - Price: Free Distraction-free writing app for Mac that allows you to focus on your writing. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What do you people write on?
    You can get it here: https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/. Source: about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing NoteAway and FocusWriter, you can also consider the following products

JustNotepad.com - A free online notepad allows you to create any text or notes in your web browser.

Scrivener - Scrivener is a content-generation tool for composing and structuring documents.

TakeNote - A web-based note-taking app with GitHub sync and Markdown support.

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

recordando - note_space is a program for writing notes, presented as arrays of cards .

Typora - A minimal Markdown reading & writing app.